Researchers create the world's first living, programmable robots

Summary

Researchers at the University of Vermont and Tufts University have created 'Zeno BOTS,' millimeter-wide living machines from African clawed frog stem cells. These programmable organisms, defined by an evolutionary algorithm, can move and potentially carry payloads. Observing their apparent cooperation, scientists foresee applications in drug delivery, arterial plaque removal, and radioactive waste cleanup. The study of these brainless yet seemingly collaborative entities may lead to breakthroughs in biology, computer science, and robotics.

Takeaways

• 🧬 Researchers at the University of Vermont and Tufts University have created living machines, which are neither traditional robots nor known animal species.
• 🐸 These living machines, called Xenobots (Zeno BOTS), are made using the stem cells of the African clawed frog.
• 🤖 Xenobots are millimeter-wide blobs that are programmable and can be shaped by an evolutionary algorithm on a supercomputer.
• 🚶‍♂️ The initial Xenobots were designed to perform basic tasks like moving in a certain direction, using frog skin cells for structure and heart and muscle cells for movement.
• 🔄 Later versions of Xenobots were built with holes to reduce drag and enable them to carry payloads.
• 🤝 The researchers observed the Xenobots seemingly cooperating and moving in circles to push pellets into a central location.
• 🧠 Despite lacking any gray matter, these organisms are capable of communication and collaboration.
• 🛠️ The potential applications of Xenobots include drug delivery, arterial plaque removal, and radioactive waste cleanup.
• 🔬 The research is in its early stages, with a focus on understanding how these brainless organisms can exhibit complex behaviors.
• 💡 Insights from Xenobots could lead to significant developments in biology, computer science, and robotics.
• 🔮 The full capabilities of Xenobots are yet to be discovered, and the public is encouraged to stay informed about their progress and other scientific advancements.

Q & A

What are Zeno Bots?

Zeno Bots are tiny living machines developed by researchers at the University of Vermont and Tufts University, made from the stem cells of the African clawed frog and designed to perform basic tasks.

What makes Zeno Bots unique compared to traditional robots or animals?

Zeno Bots are unique because they are living, programmable organisms that are neither traditional robots nor known species of animals. They exhibit behaviors that are a result of their biological makeup and programmability.

How were the initial shapes of Zeno Bots determined?

The initial shapes of Zeno Bots were defined by an evolutionary algorithm running on the University of Vermont's deep green supercomputer cluster.

What role do frog skin cells play in the Zeno Bots?

Frog skin cells provide the basic passive structure for the Zeno Bots, allowing them to maintain their form.

How do heart and muscle cells contribute to the functionality of Zeno Bots?

Heart and muscle cells give Zeno Bots the ability to move, which is essential for them to perform tasks such as moving in a certain direction.

What improvements were made in later versions of Zeno Bots?

Later versions of Zeno Bots were built with holes in their centers to reduce drag and even allowed them to carry payloads.

What behavior of Zeno Bots indicated to researchers that they were on the right track?

Researchers noticed Zeno Bots cooperating by moving around in circles and pushing pellets into a central location, which suggested complex behaviors emerging from simple units.

What potential applications do researchers foresee for Zeno Bots in the future?

Potential applications include drug delivery to targeted organs, arterial plaque removal, and cleaning up radioactive waste, after further development and fine-tuning.

Why is the research team interested in understanding how Zeno Bots communicate and collaborate?

The team is interested in understanding these behaviors to learn how complex behaviors can emerge from simple base units, which could lead to significant advancements in biology, computer science, and robotics.

What stage is the research on Zeno Bots currently in?

The research is in its very early stages, with the focus currently on understanding the mechanisms behind the behaviors of these technically brainless organisms.

What can we expect from Zeno Bots in the future?

While it's too early for practical applications, future developments could lead to staggering advancements in various fields once the capabilities and behaviors of Zeno Bots are fully understood.